Mice reportedly retain memories despite major synapse loss during hibernation
LIFEUnverifiedUpdated:
This report is unverified. Putting mice into hibernation reportedly causes a major loss of synapses, yet the animals still appear to retain memories.
Memories persist as connections decrease
The mice appeared to preserve memories even after losing a large number of synaptic connections.
It is not obvious from the saved report how memory should survive such a large reduction in synapses.
Ars Technica reported both major synapse loss during hibernation and continued memory retention.
The striking reported observation is that synapse loss and memory retention occurred together. It raises a question about explaining memory solely through synapse counts, without establishing that its mechanism has been solved.
Sources
- Ars TechnicaPutting mice into hibernation causes a major loss of synapsesRead source →